Osaka Asian Film Festival


The Osaka Asian Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan in March. The festival began in 2005 and currently introduces Asian films.

History

In December 2005, the Korean Entertainment Film Festival was inaugurated in Osaka to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Japan–South Korea relations. In 2016, the festival was renamed Osaka Asian Film Festival to include not only Korea films, but also those from East Asian countries, such as Hong Kong, Japan and China. In addition, Malaysian and Thai films from South Asia were also introduced in the 3rd Festival in 2007.
At the 4th festival in 2009, film critic Sōzō Teruoka was appointed the programming director.
"From Osaka, to the whole Japan, then to Asia!" was adopted as the theme in order to introduce premiering films and new directors from Japan. From the 4th onwards, the festival was held in March at the ABC Hall of Asahi Broadcasting Building in Hotarumachi, with the exception of the 8th festival in 2013. The Audience Award was introduced.
At the 6th festival in 2011, the competition section was established, which awards the Grand Prix, Most Promising Talent Award and ABC Award. Since the beginning, the Asian Meeting Osaka was set up to handle the release and exchange about the films aided by the Cinema Organisation Osaka and produced by new Asian producers. In 2012, the Cinema Organisation Osaka became the Indie Forum as a result of integration of sections, and the organiser was renamed from Osaka Asian Film Festival Executive Committee to Osaka Executive Committee for the Promotion of Moving. In 2015, the Yakushi Pearl Award was established to award the most brilliant performer.
In 2016, the Japan Society from New York City established the JAPAN CUTS Award for films with exceptional excitement and creativity, mainly for Japanese independent films and films screened by Indie Forum.
In 2018, the Housen Short Film Award was given by the Housen Cultural Foundation to the best short film with length of less than 60 minutes which screen at OAFF as Japan Premieres.

Venues

Korean Entertainment Film Festival 2005 in Osaka